Any attempt to undermine Bangladesh's sovereignty would face strong protests, leaders of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal warned India yesterday.

After a long march from Dhaka to Brahmanbaria's Akhaura Land Port, the BNP-affiliated organisations also urged India to maintain friendly relations with Bangladesh and avoid interfering in its internal matters.

As part of the "Long March to Agartala" programme, thousands of leaders and activists in microbuses and private cars joined the march from the party's Naya Paltan headquarters in the capital at 9:00am and reached Akhaura around 4:00pm.

The march was organised to protest against the attack on the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, desecration of the national flag in Kolkata, and an alleged conspiracy to incite communal unrest.

Addressing the concluding rally in Akhaura as the chief guest, Jubo Dal President Monayem Munna said, "The people of Bangladesh want to see India as a friend. But when the question of sovereignty comes, Bangladeshis are ready to take risks if necessary."

"We must strongly resist anyone who looks at Bangladesh with ill intent," he remarked.

"India supported and sheltered the previous fascist government, and it still does," he said, urging the interim government to talk to India about bringing Sheikh Hasina and her accomplices back to Bangladesh for trial over the killings during the July-August uprising. "We demand trial for every life lost. Awami League terrorists hiding in India must be brought back to face accountability," he added.

Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani slammed India for killing Bangladeshis along the border, "repeatedly interfering in Bangladesh's internal affairs and conspiring against its interests". 

"We hope this long march will awaken India's conscience. We will stand guard at every part of Bangladesh," he added.

Jubo Dal General Secretary Nurul Islam Noyon alleged India has exploited Bangladesh since independence. "We send them Jamdani saris and hilsa fish, but in return, they give us Felani's body and phensedyl."

Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib said, "If Sheikh Hasina engages in another conspiracy or if any extremist organisation dares to insult Bangladesh's national flag, we will respond appropriately."

"No matter how much India conspires, nothing will be successful. The student community across the country, under the leadership of the Chhatra Dal, is united to counter India's aggression."

Many leaders from Dhaka missed the Akhaura rally due to a massive traffic jam that stretched for about five kilometres near the venue.

Party members from the three organisations, coming from various districts such as Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla, Feni, Noakhali, Bogura, Rajshahi, and Sylhet, participated in the rally.

As the convoy made its way through Narayanganj, Narsingdi, and Brahmanbaria, leaders and activists from three organisations greeted them enthusiastically, chanting slogans in support.

The vehicles in the convoy bore stickers labelled "Long March" and displayed Bangladesh's national flag and the BNP's party flag.

The government beefed up security along the India-Bangladesh border and Brahmanbaria to avoid any untoward incident.

Brahmanbaria Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jabedur Rahman said that 200 police personnel were deployed around 350 yards from the Bangladesh-India border.

In addition, Border Guard Bangladesh's 60 Battalion Commander Lt Col AM Jaber Bin Jabbar said that a large number of BGB personnel were deployed in the land port area and immigration check post during the pro-BNP organisations' long march programme. BGB personnel were also on alert to avoid any kind of chaos at the border.

Traders at the land port said goods would be exported to India until midday.

Akhaura International Immigration Check Post authorities said that passengers holding passports of the two countries would be allowed to cross the border during the demonstration.

While inaugurating the programme in Dhaka, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that India supported the "bloodthirsty Lady Pharaoh Sheikh Hasina" over the last 16 years.

India, despite being a democratic country, does not want its neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka to be governed by the will their peoples due to its hegemonic attitude, he said.

"Why should they [neighbouring countries] follow Delhi's words?" he asked.

On their way, the participants of the long march held a brief rally at Bhairab intersection in Kishoreganj at 1:00pm.

Earlier on December 8, the three organisations affiliated with the BNP submitted a memorandum to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

[Our Brahmanbaira Correspondent Mashuk Hridoy also contributed to this report]